Preparation and performance of photocatalytic regenerationable activated carbon prepared via sol-gel TiO2

Preparation of photocatalytic regenerationable activated carbon (AC) i s the key step for the practical application of in situ regeneration of exhauste d AC. A novel photocatalytic regenerationable AC was prepared by sol-gel TiO2 in this work. The adsorption and regeneration performance of TiO2/AC were evaluate d using phenol as model compound. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and nitroge n(77 K) adsorption isotherm were used to determine the surface area, pore struct ure and the distribution of TiO2. The results showed that with the increase of T iO2 loading, adsorption capacity of TiO2/AC decreased and the regeneration effic iency increased. The photocatalytic regenerationable AC with suitable TiO2 loadi ng (2 wt%) exhibited suitable adsorption capacity and regeneration efficiency. T iO2 located mainly in the entrance of macro-pore of carbon. The prepared TiO2/AC exhibited similar surface structure and pore structure with material carbon.